Annual Big Show

(By Invitation Only - Thank you!) June 10, 2017 3:00 pm

Call us for more information at 541-689-5255.

Success for Every Child

The Drinking Gourd Elementary School is a private, non-profit,
non-religious, alternative school which offers education for children
ages 5-8.

Small
Class Size & Challenging Academics

The school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 to make it possible for the
teachers to gain an in-depth understanding of each student.

Each child has an academic program created expressly
for that student. Informal assessment happens daily as the teacher works
1-to-1 and in small groups with every student. In all areas, students
are moved ahead as quickly as their progress allows.

Most students achieve
advanced levels of academic achievement through their years at the Drinking
Gourd. Expectations are set at a high level for
each child, and advanced
placement is made to ensure that every child is working at a challenging
level. Also, students are not moved forward until current concepts have
been mastered, ensuring that the work required of them can be successfully
accomplished and concepts will be thoroughly learned. Extra lessons,
practice activities and alternate modes of learning are designed as specific
children require
them to succeed.

Ungraded Classes

A spread of ages allows students to work
at their unique levels in all areas without reference to artificial age
standards. Children work on their own level in each academic
area.

Individualized programs allow the teachers the flexibility to
teach each student at the correct level for that student. The students
do not expect everyone to be doing the same work, so the stigmas of being "behind" or "smart" do not exist.
Ungraded classes also help the students see themselves as a whole friendship-group.
They do not separate by age on the playground or when choosing friends.

A
Culture of Caring and Encouragement

An important focus of the Drinking
Gourd School is to create a supportive community where children are free
to be themselves and learn. Social skills are taught through direct lessons
as well as daily practice during natural situations. These skills (conflict
resolution, active listening, turn-taking rituals, empathy, consensus
decision making, group facilitation, and anti-bias attitudes) help to
create a school culture of caring and mutual encouragement.

Each
child knows that they are a significant and cared-about member of the
group. Everyone is included in games. Everyone is cheered for their accomplishments.
This atmosphere inspires levels of academic and emotional growth far
greater than those motivated by grades.

Our school is a place of hope where students and teachers gain experience in the kind of society we
could live in; a place where students learn the academic, social and
critical thinking skills needed to make this kind of society a possibility.